Jojo Rabbit

There’s grandiose audacity in Taika Waititi even considering making a comedy based on Nazism and he certainly goes full-throttle with his signature brand of humour. This film will definitely divide people, not least because of the subject matter.

In short, Johannes “Jojo”  Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a 10-year-old boy in the Hitler youth who lives with his mother, Rosie (Scarlett Johansson). His father, so Jojo is told, is fighting on the front. Jojo has been completely indoctrinated into Nazism and is guided through life by an imagined avatar of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi). When Jojo discovers that his mother has hidden a teenage Jewish girl in the attic, he is faced with a turmoil of doubts and confusing emotions – including a crush.

It’s a sweet premise and there are devastatingly powerful moments, but its messages are heavy-handed and obvious, and the humour becomes tiresome and distracting. Cliched, simplistic and disappointing, though there are quite funny bits.

★★ ½

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Reviewed by Rita Bratovich